The main instrument of which community is the 'Been'?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The Been (also known as the Pungi or Murli) is a crucial cultural symbol and the principal instrument of the **Sapera** community, also known as snake charmers. This wind instrument is a 'free-reed' instrument traditionally made from a dried gourd, featuring two pipes—one for the drone and one for the melody. The Saperas are an itinerant community whose livelihood is historically tied to catching snakes and performing public acts, and the unique, nasal, continuous drone of the Been is essential for their performances, becoming synonymous with their identity. The distinctive sound of the Been, created by continuous blowing without pause, is what is globally recognized as the music of the snake charmer, firmly embedding this instrument in the cultural fabric of the Sapera people.

The incorrect option is 1:
The **Mali** community traditionally consists of gardeners and florists, and their cultural instruments are generally related to festival music or religious ceremonies, not snake charming. They are not historically known for using the Been as their main or identifying instrument; their music often serves the cultural context of celebrating the growth of nature and ceremonial events. The specialized nature and cultural context of the Been do not align with the Mali community's traditional occupation or practices.

The incorrect option is 3:
The **Jat** community is primarily known as an agricultural or martial group found across North India. The musical instruments associated with the Jat community are typically those used for folk dances, martial music, or harvest songs, such as the Dhol, Nagara, or various simple stringed instruments like the Ektara and Sarangi. The unique cultural practice of snake charming, for which the Been is indispensable, is not part of the core tradition or occupation of the Jat community. Their music is rooted in agrarian life and regional folklore, unlike the specialized performance art of the Saperas.

The incorrect option is 4:
The **Ahir** community is traditionally a community of cow-herders and cattle breeders, with their culture and music reflecting their pastoral lifestyle. Their folk music often centers on songs of cow-herding and local deities, accompanied by various flutes (like the simple Bansuri) or folk drums. While the flute is a wind instrument, the specific design and cultural use of the Been are distinct from the instruments central to the pastoral and agricultural traditions of the Ahir community. The Been remains the exclusive symbol of the Sapera's profession.